Movie spotlight
Everybody's Acting
Doris Poole, whose parents were theatrical people, was orphaned as a child, and four members of the troupe adopted and raised her. When grown, she has become the leading lady in a San Francisco stock-company. She meets and falls in love with Ted, the millionaire son of a rich widow, but she thinks he is only a tax-cab driver. His mother objects to the romance and looks into Doris' past. She learns that her father had murdered, in a fit of jealousy, her mother, and tells Doris what she has found out. The four actors who had raised her had never told her how she happened to become an orphan. They persuade Ted's mother to send him on a voyage to the Orient in order to get him away from Doris. But they neglected to tell the mother they had also booked passage for Doris on the same ship.
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Plot Summary
A small-town drugstore cowboy, who dreams of becoming a movie star, heads to Hollywood with his family. There, he attempts to break into the film industry, facing numerous comical challenges and misunderstandings along the way. His aspirations lead to a series of chaotic events as he navigates the nascent world of silent filmmaking.
Critical Reception
While not as critically lauded as some of Keaton's later masterpieces, 'Everybody's Acting' is appreciated for its charming premise and early insights into the Hollywood dream factory. It showcases Keaton's developing comedic talents and his ability to blend slapstick with relatable character aspirations. Audience reception at the time was generally positive, enjoying the novelty of its Hollywood setting and Keaton's signature physical comedy.
What Reviewers Say
A charming and humorous look at aspiring actors in early Hollywood.
Showcases Buster Keaton's early comedic prowess and his signature physical gags.
Offers an interesting, albeit fictionalized, glimpse into the silent film industry.
Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available for this silent film.
Fun Fact
This film marks the first time Buster Keaton's father, Joe Keaton, appeared on screen with him in a significant role, playing the father of Keaton's character.
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